A little theological ranting.
Okay, so you know when you start talking about the importance of good works, the first reaction you get from other Christians is that "Good works are filthy rags, our righteousness cannot save us."
Actually there are two kinds of works in the Bible.
One are religious works. Just things we do to save ourselves, things we perform to earn merit. These are self-directed, pious works meant to earn God's favour. It's obvious that Jesus already threw those out of the window, so to speak. We don't need to earn salvation.
But NOWHERE, absolutely nowhere in the Bible does Jesus condemn or tell us NOT to do good works ie. help others, be kind, be loving, etc. etc. No where.
what DOES the Bible say?
Faith without works is dead (James). Also, pure religion means visiting widows and orphans (a.k.a. people in need).
We are supposed to be lights in the world, which means doing works before others so that God is glorified.
Time and time again, in Romans 2:6 and Matthew 16:27 amongst other places, God/Jesus is said to judge every man according to their WORKS. (Oy, you might say, isn't it all about faith now?)
There is a difference between working for salvation and doing good works. A huge difference.
BTW, Jesus separates the righteous and the unrighteous in Matthew 7 and Matthew 24. What does he say?
1) In Matthew 7, he accuses those of performing "powerful" works of being unrighteous workers of INIQUITY
2) He accuses those who neglected to do simple things like feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned and give water to the thirsty... According to Jesus, the things that you do for the least of men, you do it to Him.
So if anyone tells you that doing good has nothing to do with faith, the the Bible says your faith is useless, to put it bluntly. "Good works" are not "works of the law" or "righteous works".
There verses are amongst many, but serve to hammer home to the point. Basically, they reiterate that we are created FOR good works, that we must be ZEALOUS to do them, and careful to maintain them.
Ephesians 2:10
1 Timothy 2:10
1 Timothy 5:25
1 Timothy 6:18
2 Timothy 3:17
Titus 2:7
Titus 3:14
Titus 3:8
There are conditions/qualified to good works
1) Must be according to the commandments of Jesus and the will of the Father
2) Must be done secretly and humbly without the intention of seeking praise from other people or earthly rewards.
3) Genuine and sincere
4) Not things that we force others to do but fail to do ourselves
Time and time again in the NT, we see God noticing people who are kind, loving and charitable. These are virtues that come from God and are demonstrated by God. People like Dorcas and Cornelius were noticed and praised for their charitable works.
No. Good works are imperative upon us. They are required of us. We are follow God's model, the ultimate finished work of Jesus on the cross. Why? Because in that he poured everything of himself. It was the ultimate act of love. It was the ultimate sacrifice. It was the ultimate unselfish, charitable act.
Jesus is our role model, the cross our example. Go forth, He says, and be LIGHTS.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Christian, Christian
(Disclaimer: I don't have all the answers, but I believe that God does, if only we would actually listen to him and be willing to accept the answer even if it is what we do not want to hear.)
Christians either try to blend seamlessly into society, willing to put aside principles of the Bible and sacrifice them in order to be relevant (assimilation) OR try to create a segregated counter-culture based on some past romantic ideal of “Christian government” (isolation, utopian ideals) or “Christian society” (Dominion-ism, fundamentalism, etc.) Both assimilation and isolation are evasions of the question, “How can I be a Christian in the world I live in today?”. Some try to live in the world as the world, and simply be a part of it, worldly in all ideals and unwilling to be different. They simply accept society and culture. Others, fundamentalists, attempt to seclude themselves from “secular society”. They attempt to create a perfect society, a perfect society with a perfect system, perfect government, and perfect way of life. They want to make everything “Christian”. They want Christianity and Western, Christian culture to dominate and subjugate all opposition. People are tired of Christianity. They are tired of being preached to and sanctimoniously told that they are going to hell. They are tired of the rhetoric, they are tired of the hypocrisy and two-facedness. They are willing to accept anything, anything other than the so-called “Christianity” of the Western World. They are willing to accommodate Islam, atheism, anything that allows for a plural and open society. They want two sides. They want fairness and equality. They want the freedom to think and act outside of so many pointless constraints.
Christians either try to blend seamlessly into society, willing to put aside principles of the Bible and sacrifice them in order to be relevant (assimilation) OR try to create a segregated counter-culture based on some past romantic ideal of “Christian government” (isolation, utopian ideals) or “Christian society” (Dominion-ism, fundamentalism, etc.) Both assimilation and isolation are evasions of the question, “How can I be a Christian in the world I live in today?”. Some try to live in the world as the world, and simply be a part of it, worldly in all ideals and unwilling to be different. They simply accept society and culture. Others, fundamentalists, attempt to seclude themselves from “secular society”. They attempt to create a perfect society, a perfect society with a perfect system, perfect government, and perfect way of life. They want to make everything “Christian”. They want Christianity and Western, Christian culture to dominate and subjugate all opposition. People are tired of Christianity. They are tired of being preached to and sanctimoniously told that they are going to hell. They are tired of the rhetoric, they are tired of the hypocrisy and two-facedness. They are willing to accept anything, anything other than the so-called “Christianity” of the Western World. They are willing to accommodate Islam, atheism, anything that allows for a plural and open society. They want two sides. They want fairness and equality. They want the freedom to think and act outside of so many pointless constraints.
The world struggled under the burden of
Western Christianity. It cried out to be free from the religion that
had been manipulated for the self-serving purposes time and time
again, from unscrupulous and self-serving church leaders, to the dictatorial popes of the past, to the monarchs of Europe, even in the extreme figure of Adolf Hitler.
Yes, there are honestly genuine and
kind people who call themselves Christians but Christianity itself
has become insufferable to modern society. Christianity pisses people
off. It is an affront to people today in Western countries to read
the Bible and to pray and to be in any way Christian because to them,
you are being a self-righteous "assh*le" ready to force them to mold
them to your form of religion.
Let's put aside our pride and
self-righteousness for just a second, or long enough for me to
plead the case that it is, most of the time, not Jesus or the
Bible or the true faith of Christianity that people hate so much, it
is us. Christians – haters, bigots, bullies.
It's not because of
Jesus that we are hated, its because of us that Jesus is hated.
Of
course, I'm being very general, but I believe we only have ourselves
to blame for half the “persecution” we believe happens to us. So
often, is not “persecution” in Western society actually simply
the loss of power and influence (which hurts our egos and makes us
feel insecure) than the real
persecution. We are
suffering the whips that we laid upon other's backs – they are now
lashing us back in the face.
We
have a persecution complex, feeling every bit of opposition to our
precepts a violation of our religious rights.
We
complain about our religious rights being trampled upon while we do
and build towering buildings and monuments that Jesus never told us
to be, hold religious services that Jesus never prescribed.....
we want to parade our
religion on the streets and scream it from every rooftop. We want
every billboard plastered with Christian threats of eternal
punishment. We want the world to belong to us, and not to Jesus. We
want people to cower in fear when we instruct them in the way they
should go.. We are like spoiled children, grabbing toys for ourselves
and crying “foul play” when the other children we bullied unite
together and take them away.
We
are called to be humble. We are called to be disciples, and naively
put, sacrificial do-gooders. We are not to become religious police,
or institute religious government. “My kingdom is not of this
world,” Jesus said, and He is always right. Jesus' kingdom, Jesus'
temple, is built in the hearts of men, men and women and children
from all around the world. He wasn't looking to restore a Davidic
monarchy (yet) or
to take over the Roman government and use it for Christian ends.
We
are called to be lights in darkness. Stand out, and stand
alone. We are called
to be the unpopular ones, the poor ones, the humble ones, the meek
ones, the peacemakers, the poor in spirit... not the dominating,
authoritative ones. Not the ones that push our weight around (Jesus
never did). We are not called to take dominion – All power already
belongs to Jesus.
Humble,
penniless, property-less, stateless, poor in everything, despised for
our insignificance and overlooked for our obsequity... and yet rich
and powerful in all the ways that count.
First of all, we have to acknowledge our attitude to problem. Then we have a huge public-image problem to deal with, which we can only do by being a witness in little ways. Maybe we have to prove to the world, not by big events and showy dramatics, but in our every-day life, in our attitudes and in our dealing with others, who Jesus really was and is and always will be.
Glory
be to Jesus alone! Power belongs to Him alone!
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Supernatural
What is supernatural?
Love is supernatural. Laying down one's life, going out of your way to give help to someone underserving - that's supernatural. That's amazing. That's what shakes principalities and powers.
What is supernatural? Jesus coming down to earth, humbling Himself and taking on human form. That is supernatural obedience, coming from the supernatural grace of God.
God's love is supernatural. It is supernatural to be unselfish, supernatural to forgive despite being wronged, supernatural to stick out your neck for someone else, someone you
It is supernatural to admit you made a mistake and ask for forgiveness.
It is supernatural to be kind to the least estimable, to the weak, to the undeserving, to the downtrodden.
It is supernatural to cling to faith and continue to hope in the face of the greatest despair.
Those things are some of what the Bible teaches us is "supernatural", beyond what we naturally are as humans - at best complacent, at the least actively destructive. I know there are many things about the "spirit world" that I do not understand, and beyond what the Bible explicitly teaches, I feel I do not need to - the great, awesome, physics-defying feats I believe to be God's business and God's prerogative, not gimmicks for me to employ.
I feel what I should focus on is what the Bible reiterates again and again, because I believe in the love, mercy, forgiveness, and kindness of God, and I believe that when we are His instruments in these, we are privileged to be engaging in the "supernatural".
Love is supernatural. Laying down one's life, going out of your way to give help to someone underserving - that's supernatural. That's amazing. That's what shakes principalities and powers.
What is supernatural? Jesus coming down to earth, humbling Himself and taking on human form. That is supernatural obedience, coming from the supernatural grace of God.
God's love is supernatural. It is supernatural to be unselfish, supernatural to forgive despite being wronged, supernatural to stick out your neck for someone else, someone you
It is supernatural to admit you made a mistake and ask for forgiveness.
It is supernatural to be kind to the least estimable, to the weak, to the undeserving, to the downtrodden.
It is supernatural to cling to faith and continue to hope in the face of the greatest despair.
Those things are some of what the Bible teaches us is "supernatural", beyond what we naturally are as humans - at best complacent, at the least actively destructive. I know there are many things about the "spirit world" that I do not understand, and beyond what the Bible explicitly teaches, I feel I do not need to - the great, awesome, physics-defying feats I believe to be God's business and God's prerogative, not gimmicks for me to employ.
I feel what I should focus on is what the Bible reiterates again and again, because I believe in the love, mercy, forgiveness, and kindness of God, and I believe that when we are His instruments in these, we are privileged to be engaging in the "supernatural".
Ramblings on "Rewards"
Humans are made with an innate sense of justice. We want right to be repaid with right, wrong with wrong. This is common in all religions and is the basis of ethics. It is natural to want to right to be rewarded, wrongs to be punished. Whether it is the concept of "operant conditioning" or "karma", this is a basic belief that almost everybody shares.
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(Rom 2:5-8)
I believe in that - we all should believe in that. No matter what we believe about salvation, we know that God does not reward evil, that our actions have consequences, that true good works are, after all product of faith. I don't believe that spirituality means anything that deviates from spiritual behaviour, the qualities and "fruits of the Holy Spirit" such as love, joy, peace, patience, etc. etc.
We cannot promote a warped view common in Christianity that tries to undo this basic, fundamental, principle of right and wrong. It is not by negating this idea that we come to the miracle of salvation, but rather building upon it.
Salvation from this viewpoint is this: We all have sinned and deserve to be punished. Sin = evil. Evil = punishment. Why? Because we do harm to this earth and we do harm to others. Even if we are good, we cannot be perfect. Humanity is a hopeless case in that our good deeds can never outweigh or negate our bad deeds, because deep inside, we are all filthy and selfish and despicable. We have evil thoughts, evil desires, and every day of our lives as humans we do harm. Thus, all we deserve is eternal punishment.
However, God chose to do something miraculous, something outside of the bounds of duty or reward. He chose to do the extraordinary, to show incredible favour, he chose to save us. God rescuing and saving the sinner does not validate the sinner's evil but rather serves to emphasize the forbearance of God.
We like to think salvation removes the principle of justice completely. To me it does not - the works of a believer are the most telling, and wrong is wrong whether it is committed by a so-called Christian or a person who does not subscribe to the Christian religion.
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
(Rev 22:12)
"Boo hoo," you might say, "How can the Bible say something so unjust and legalistic as to say hat God rewards people according to their works? Does He not save by grace and cease to judge?"
"No," I say, "Somehow, the same Bible that proclaims that we are saved despite our works, also tells us that without good works our beliefs are invalid, and that God will eventually reward each man according to his deeds. And, unless we can reconcile those truths of Scripture, navigating the narrow path that avoids the pitfalls of oversimplification or mindless rhetoric, we do not truly know what the Bible is saying."
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
(Rev 22:14-15)
My belief is that the New Covenant is not so very radical, so very unlike the "old" as to be completely estranged from it. What changes in the New Covenant is not God's righteousness, justice, or nature. It is we who are altered, not God. It is upon our hearts that God has written the law, that we might for the first time be able to walk in accordance to His plan. It is the weaknesses of humanity that is abolished and removed, not the perfect law of God, the law of liberty. The Law of God will never be abolished, for that would be akin to destroying the nature of God. It is not God who relaxes His standards but we who are, beyond the highest of our capabilities, transformed into new creatures and endowed with the perfection of Christ.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
(Rev 19:8)
To me, right-being cannot be divorced from right-doing. A good tree produces good fruit, the Bible teaches. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit nor a bad tree good fruit. 'Nuf said.
One truth I hold to strongly concerning the nature of our lives on this earth as followers of the Messiah (Christians) is that is imperative that we observe Jesus' commands and example, and live according to it, that it is highly important that we are generous, loving, kind, peaceful, merciful, long-suffering, self-sacrificing, gentle, etc. etc. This is reiterated so many times throughout Scripture that we cannot ignore it.
The first thing people look to us as "Christians" should not be our religious knowledge or religious observance. It should we our love for others, the "light" and "joy" and "hope" we bring just as the Messiah did when he was born on this earth.
Our lives must reflect both the birth of Christ and His death, his entire living - his graciousness, his obedience, his complete lack of selfishness, etc. etc.
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(Rom 2:5-8)
I believe in that - we all should believe in that. No matter what we believe about salvation, we know that God does not reward evil, that our actions have consequences, that true good works are, after all product of faith. I don't believe that spirituality means anything that deviates from spiritual behaviour, the qualities and "fruits of the Holy Spirit" such as love, joy, peace, patience, etc. etc.
We cannot promote a warped view common in Christianity that tries to undo this basic, fundamental, principle of right and wrong. It is not by negating this idea that we come to the miracle of salvation, but rather building upon it.
Salvation from this viewpoint is this: We all have sinned and deserve to be punished. Sin = evil. Evil = punishment. Why? Because we do harm to this earth and we do harm to others. Even if we are good, we cannot be perfect. Humanity is a hopeless case in that our good deeds can never outweigh or negate our bad deeds, because deep inside, we are all filthy and selfish and despicable. We have evil thoughts, evil desires, and every day of our lives as humans we do harm. Thus, all we deserve is eternal punishment.
However, God chose to do something miraculous, something outside of the bounds of duty or reward. He chose to do the extraordinary, to show incredible favour, he chose to save us. God rescuing and saving the sinner does not validate the sinner's evil but rather serves to emphasize the forbearance of God.
We like to think salvation removes the principle of justice completely. To me it does not - the works of a believer are the most telling, and wrong is wrong whether it is committed by a so-called Christian or a person who does not subscribe to the Christian religion.
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
(Rev 22:12)
"Boo hoo," you might say, "How can the Bible say something so unjust and legalistic as to say hat God rewards people according to their works? Does He not save by grace and cease to judge?"
"No," I say, "Somehow, the same Bible that proclaims that we are saved despite our works, also tells us that without good works our beliefs are invalid, and that God will eventually reward each man according to his deeds. And, unless we can reconcile those truths of Scripture, navigating the narrow path that avoids the pitfalls of oversimplification or mindless rhetoric, we do not truly know what the Bible is saying."
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
(Rev 22:14-15)
My belief is that the New Covenant is not so very radical, so very unlike the "old" as to be completely estranged from it. What changes in the New Covenant is not God's righteousness, justice, or nature. It is we who are altered, not God. It is upon our hearts that God has written the law, that we might for the first time be able to walk in accordance to His plan. It is the weaknesses of humanity that is abolished and removed, not the perfect law of God, the law of liberty. The Law of God will never be abolished, for that would be akin to destroying the nature of God. It is not God who relaxes His standards but we who are, beyond the highest of our capabilities, transformed into new creatures and endowed with the perfection of Christ.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
(Rev 19:8)
To me, right-being cannot be divorced from right-doing. A good tree produces good fruit, the Bible teaches. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit nor a bad tree good fruit. 'Nuf said.
One truth I hold to strongly concerning the nature of our lives on this earth as followers of the Messiah (Christians) is that is imperative that we observe Jesus' commands and example, and live according to it, that it is highly important that we are generous, loving, kind, peaceful, merciful, long-suffering, self-sacrificing, gentle, etc. etc. This is reiterated so many times throughout Scripture that we cannot ignore it.
The first thing people look to us as "Christians" should not be our religious knowledge or religious observance. It should we our love for others, the "light" and "joy" and "hope" we bring just as the Messiah did when he was born on this earth.
Our lives must reflect both the birth of Christ and His death, his entire living - his graciousness, his obedience, his complete lack of selfishness, etc. etc.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Grace and Obedience
Grace is God granting us a favor. Imagine if we were formerly in debt, and now God just comes along and pays our debt freely for us. And then He gives us a fresh start and a large deposit tha we can spend as we wish.... or is that really true? No, the last part isn't.
I like to think of grace as the "spending money" God gives us, and obedience is what He wants us to spent it on, not sin, not wickedness. He's not giving us the license to sin, He's giving us the power that can never have, to obey.
I'm just saying that God will never ask anything of us that He doesn't give us the strength and power to do. Everything we do, every good work, every act of obedience - its He who has given us the grace to do what we cannot do on our own.
He gave us the "dollar bill" and he sent us to the store to buy the "newspaper".
Some people say that grace means we are no longer obligated in any way, that God will never ask anything of us. No, I say, He asks only what is barely required of us, and even so, we cannot fulfill it. We are using His "credit", every time.
I like to think of grace as the "spending money" God gives us, and obedience is what He wants us to spent it on, not sin, not wickedness. He's not giving us the license to sin, He's giving us the power that can never have, to obey.
I'm just saying that God will never ask anything of us that He doesn't give us the strength and power to do. Everything we do, every good work, every act of obedience - its He who has given us the grace to do what we cannot do on our own.
He gave us the "dollar bill" and he sent us to the store to buy the "newspaper".
Some people say that grace means we are no longer obligated in any way, that God will never ask anything of us. No, I say, He asks only what is barely required of us, and even so, we cannot fulfill it. We are using His "credit", every time.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Individual Faith
The Bible is given to each and every Christian. That means that our faith is in a way between us and God. No other person should dictate to us what we should do and the decisions we should make, though of course our shepherds and fellow disciples will counsel us. But it is not for them to tell us what the Bible says or dictate to us things beyond the Bible that have to do with the decisions of our life.
The church consists of individual disciples and individual families who are given the Bible. The Bible can speak to every one of them, and they must come to know it for themselves and not depend on teaching from the pulpit.
Our faith hinges upon a personal relationship with Jesus, not on denominational dogmas. Through this relationship we come into fellowship with the Body, the assembly, universal. We can call our brother or sister anyone who is a disciple and calls on Jesus, and shares our faith in Him, not just in our own "church group" or "membership".
It is imperative that every Christian knows the Bible and understands the commands of Christ and His teachings for himself. It is not for another to teach him, tell him what he must do, how he must live the Bible.
The Bible alone is sufficient, Protestants say, "Sola Scriptura is our creed".If that is so, then every Christian must have a Bible, read it, and understand it too. He must test and question the Word that is preached, and never fail to be discerning.
That is not to say every Christian "believes what is right in his own eyes", inventing doctrines to suit himself, believing only what he finds convenient. No, it is the word of Jesus that must come and rest in his heart.
This verse is essential. We cannot simplify the truth. We cannot treat fellow disciples like novice believers, but we have to, each of us, know the word for ourselves and be mature in understanding. We cannot be "simple-minded" simpletons. We cannot be expected to always behave as children and ignorant babes - we have to mature, we have to grow up!
Yes, we seek simplicity. Yes, we value the simple truths above the towering philosophies of men and the world. But we also distrust simplicity - simplicity that means foolishness, ignorance, and an extended state of childhood.
I believe that the Bible gives us reason to believe that every believer is given the Holy Spirit to teach them, and that the spirit of discernment and truth, so as to judge the words that are taught, prophesied and spoken in the church.
Never at any point are we to be passive when it comes to our faith, in the assembly of believers. We are ask questions, for questions show where we are. The purpose in teaching and discussion in the body of believers is not to achieve a perfect teaching session, but so that every one understands and receives the Word. We are to be constantly sober (not carried away by euphoria, but in a sensible and clear state of mind).
When it comes to our faith, never does the Bible say, "Just accept what the leader says. Just obey. Just follow." Authority is never given to a man, to a leader, to a shepherd or bishop.
All power in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to each one of us. There is no Anointed One but our Christ, our Messiah Jesus. We are all filled with the Spirit to minister to each other and go out to preach the gospel.
When we say this or that leader or speaker, or this or that man is anointed, what we really mean sometimes is that he has become so compelling, so attractive, so awe-inspiring, so charismatic, so charming, so appealing that we are in awe of him instead of Jesus.
Truth is so great, so vast, that the words we speak can never fully represent it - our words, our teachings need to be constantly refined, defined and clarified lest it veer in the slightest off-course, and deviate an iota from what is the truth.
No one is the leader, the "fuhrer", the unassaillable, perfect, flawless disciple who is above all the rest. There is no hierachy, no pushing to be the "top" or "first" in the Kingdom of God. God values meekness, and promotes the humble, elevating the lowly.
The body of Christ consists of honest disciples. It is a body of believers who confess their sins to one another, renders their own judgments amongst themselves (1 Cor 5), and
We think that it is the "Holy Spirit" who speaks when we are excited. When we are elated. When our emotions are running faster than a flooding creek in a thunderstorm. Whatever happened to the still, small voice? Whatever happened to the power of the Word, the Word that is the same yesterday, today and forever, that doesn't strike us one way and then blast us in the different direction from one high spiritual plane to another.
I feel that we must be careful what emotions we operate under. Are we sober? Have we come to discern carefully and with much trepidation what the truth is, the truth that does not change, but is a constant. God's eternal principles are God's eternal principles and they are the same throughout all time, for all people.
Accuracy when it comes to be Bible is not about being rigid, but about being honest, having integrity, and being truly faithful. It all boils down to our faithfulness to God and our steadfast faith in Him.
The church consists of individual disciples and individual families who are given the Bible. The Bible can speak to every one of them, and they must come to know it for themselves and not depend on teaching from the pulpit.
Our faith hinges upon a personal relationship with Jesus, not on denominational dogmas. Through this relationship we come into fellowship with the Body, the assembly, universal. We can call our brother or sister anyone who is a disciple and calls on Jesus, and shares our faith in Him, not just in our own "church group" or "membership".
It is imperative that every Christian knows the Bible and understands the commands of Christ and His teachings for himself. It is not for another to teach him, tell him what he must do, how he must live the Bible.
The Bible alone is sufficient, Protestants say, "Sola Scriptura is our creed".If that is so, then every Christian must have a Bible, read it, and understand it too. He must test and question the Word that is preached, and never fail to be discerning.
That is not to say every Christian "believes what is right in his own eyes", inventing doctrines to suit himself, believing only what he finds convenient. No, it is the word of Jesus that must come and rest in his heart.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
(1Jn 4:1-2)
These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
(1Jn 2:26-27)
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
(Deu 6:6)
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (1Co 14:20)
This verse is essential. We cannot simplify the truth. We cannot treat fellow disciples like novice believers, but we have to, each of us, know the word for ourselves and be mature in understanding. We cannot be "simple-minded" simpletons. We cannot be expected to always behave as children and ignorant babes - we have to mature, we have to grow up!
Yes, we seek simplicity. Yes, we value the simple truths above the towering philosophies of men and the world. But we also distrust simplicity - simplicity that means foolishness, ignorance, and an extended state of childhood.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
(Jer 31:34)
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
(1Co 14:29)
I believe that the Bible gives us reason to believe that every believer is given the Holy Spirit to teach them, and that the spirit of discernment and truth, so as to judge the words that are taught, prophesied and spoken in the church.
Never at any point are we to be passive when it comes to our faith, in the assembly of believers. We are ask questions, for questions show where we are. The purpose in teaching and discussion in the body of believers is not to achieve a perfect teaching session, but so that every one understands and receives the Word. We are to be constantly sober (not carried away by euphoria, but in a sensible and clear state of mind).
When it comes to our faith, never does the Bible say, "Just accept what the leader says. Just obey. Just follow." Authority is never given to a man, to a leader, to a shepherd or bishop.
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
(1Pe 5:2-3)
All power in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to each one of us. There is no Anointed One but our Christ, our Messiah Jesus. We are all filled with the Spirit to minister to each other and go out to preach the gospel.
When we say this or that leader or speaker, or this or that man is anointed, what we really mean sometimes is that he has become so compelling, so attractive, so awe-inspiring, so charismatic, so charming, so appealing that we are in awe of him instead of Jesus.
Truth is so great, so vast, that the words we speak can never fully represent it - our words, our teachings need to be constantly refined, defined and clarified lest it veer in the slightest off-course, and deviate an iota from what is the truth.
No one is the leader, the "fuhrer", the unassaillable, perfect, flawless disciple who is above all the rest. There is no hierachy, no pushing to be the "top" or "first" in the Kingdom of God. God values meekness, and promotes the humble, elevating the lowly.
The body of Christ consists of honest disciples. It is a body of believers who confess their sins to one another, renders their own judgments amongst themselves (1 Cor 5), and
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.The apostles plead with us again and again their epistles to be SOBER - vigilant, watchful, discreet. This is beyond underlining emphasis. We cannot be "carried away" or tossed too and fro in euphoria or excitement, but we must be still, quiet, serious, so that we may truly hear the Holy Spirit speak.
(Mat 18:15-17)
We think that it is the "Holy Spirit" who speaks when we are excited. When we are elated. When our emotions are running faster than a flooding creek in a thunderstorm. Whatever happened to the still, small voice? Whatever happened to the power of the Word, the Word that is the same yesterday, today and forever, that doesn't strike us one way and then blast us in the different direction from one high spiritual plane to another.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
(Jas 1:6)
I feel that we must be careful what emotions we operate under. Are we sober? Have we come to discern carefully and with much trepidation what the truth is, the truth that does not change, but is a constant. God's eternal principles are God's eternal principles and they are the same throughout all time, for all people.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:Ha! So we aren't supposed to believe everything we hear, but to test where it is truly from God. Furthermore, we must be vigilant against any attack, for men constantly either actively seek to or unwittingly are used to, deceive us and draw us away from the truth.
(Eph 4:14-15)
Accuracy when it comes to be Bible is not about being rigid, but about being honest, having integrity, and being truly faithful. It all boils down to our faithfulness to God and our steadfast faith in Him.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Intergrated into the World?
We're not meant to be like the world, to become a part of it in mind, thought and action, to accept everything of the world without questioning it. No, we are to be fundamentally different from it in all ways.
One (very un-)Christian approach is to isolate ourselves from the world and keep hammering on about the world's deception, another approach is to simply blend in with society and just keep up with the mainstream. If society starts to go in one direction, just follow along. That's just to be taken in with deception.
We don't need to keep preaching how wrong the world is, but neither do we need to swallow everything hook, line and sinker. Neither are right - we are to preach and live the truth, even if everything is society is in opposition to it.
Hello? Isn't God eternal? The world and its wisdom may be wishy-washy, but we're to hold fast to what is eternal and unchanging, not to fads.
We sometimes take the world's system for granted, and just believe and live the way others do rather than take a discerning, cautious and enlightened approach to life - everything from lifestyle, to education, to work, to health, to finances, etc.
I mean, it's a normal thing to take loans in the world, but do we Christians realize that the Bible warns us that is unwise? It's a normal thing to get divorced, get abortions, and engage in sexual immorality in the world, and those activities are just as much a part of the mainstream church as they are a part of the world.
We are to be lights in darkness. We will stand out. We will be different. We don't need to be ostentatious about, or go around slapping people in the face with the Bible, but we aren't supposed to just become darkness because we are surrounded by it.
We don't need to go around being the opposite of the world. Simply by being who we are as followers of Jesus - pure, meek, humble, lowly peacemakers, we will be the light. Simply by showing love, being kind, being who we essentially are as the saints of God, we will be the light. We don't need to be false, superficial or legalistic. Nor are we supposed to blend in with the world - if so, what would the point be of being a disciple of Jesus?
One (very un-)Christian approach is to isolate ourselves from the world and keep hammering on about the world's deception, another approach is to simply blend in with society and just keep up with the mainstream. If society starts to go in one direction, just follow along. That's just to be taken in with deception.
We don't need to keep preaching how wrong the world is, but neither do we need to swallow everything hook, line and sinker. Neither are right - we are to preach and live the truth, even if everything is society is in opposition to it.
Hello? Isn't God eternal? The world and its wisdom may be wishy-washy, but we're to hold fast to what is eternal and unchanging, not to fads.
We sometimes take the world's system for granted, and just believe and live the way others do rather than take a discerning, cautious and enlightened approach to life - everything from lifestyle, to education, to work, to health, to finances, etc.
I mean, it's a normal thing to take loans in the world, but do we Christians realize that the Bible warns us that is unwise? It's a normal thing to get divorced, get abortions, and engage in sexual immorality in the world, and those activities are just as much a part of the mainstream church as they are a part of the world.
We are to be lights in darkness. We will stand out. We will be different. We don't need to be ostentatious about, or go around slapping people in the face with the Bible, but we aren't supposed to just become darkness because we are surrounded by it.
We don't need to go around being the opposite of the world. Simply by being who we are as followers of Jesus - pure, meek, humble, lowly peacemakers, we will be the light. Simply by showing love, being kind, being who we essentially are as the saints of God, we will be the light. We don't need to be false, superficial or legalistic. Nor are we supposed to blend in with the world - if so, what would the point be of being a disciple of Jesus?
Isolated from the world?
Jesus never lived in isolation. He was right in the "thick" of society, and He mixed with "low-lifes", criminals, "criminal syndicates", prostitute and the like. He never shied away from evil, because the evil could not touch Him. He was holy and separate, yes, but He was God amongst men. He didn't need to create artificial barriers, and determine by rules and laws who could or couldn't be included into His utopian Kingdom. It wasn't like that.
Jesus never calls us to be isolated. If we Christians become isolated, and shut ourselves off from the world, from sin and from temptation, it only shows how we have been overcome by it. If a single bilboard or a magazine cover can cause us to lust, then we have not overcome sin, but are merely seeking to run away from it, to hide from sin, rather than living amongst sinners, yet not being tempted or moved by sin.
The world laughs at us Christians sometimes, because we are so afraid, so cowardly, so lacking in spiritual authority and boldness to not only overcome sin but to save sinners, plucking them out of the fires of hell. If we are shielding ourselves from being sucked into the world, the problem is not with the world but with us? How can we be testimonies of the truth if we refuse to confront lies?
Light is only light when it is in the midst of darkness. I speak of a type of "conditioning" we should experience, not to be shocked by the world and the immorality around. Not to be shocked when people fall, not to be scandalized by immorality.
Yes, we live by the standards of the Word, radically different from the world, but we do not need to fear sin and temptation. We can walk amongst corruption, the abuse of drugs, sexual immorality, and idolatry, and yet not be moved by it. Rather, we transform our surroundings. We bring light into darkness.
Jesus never came to establish a religion of forms, of outward conformity. He never established a parallel culture, an isolationist cult. He sent His disciples out into the world, not to create a culture, not to transform culture, but to bring the kingdom of God, not a culture, not a society, not a religion, but a transformation of hearts.
The Kingdom of God in the midst of the Kingdom of the World is a great threat to the world. Yes, the world will hate it and oppose it. Yes, the world will find us fundamentally different, and will disagree with us. Why should we fear opposition or disagreement? This is part of Christianity. This was a part of the early church. If we want to live in a society that we dictate, that we rule, that we determine and that conforms to our rules, then we should just be a part of the mainstream.
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
(1Co 5:9-13)
If holiness means to hide, then Jesus would never have come to earth to tabernacle amongst us. He would have never bothered to die for a world of sinners. What concerns me is that Christianity sometimes says, "We need to get away from this world of sin". I say no. We must go out into this world to save sinners. We need to be out there, helping the sick, reaching out to the lost, the needy, the destitute, the unrepentant, the hardened sinners. We need to get on our knees and wash feet, serve tables, meet needs. We need to be God's arm of compassion.
If we shut ourselves away from sin and suffering, we will never get to preach and live the gospel. We would never see needs nor know the heart of God. We would be content that "I, me and myself" are saved. We would be trampling on the promises and desires of God.
Do you want to find Jesus? Do you want to seclude yourself to seek God's face? Jesus tells us where to find Him and meet with Him - out there. He's there, with the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned.
The pinnacle of spirituality is not isolation. The pinnacle of godliness, of holiness, of spirituality is the cross where the son of God came down and laid down His life, not for Himself but for others. True spirituality, true religion is to visit orphans and widows and keep oneself unspotted from the world. (Be right in the midst of the world, yet untouched by it, but impacting it in humble, meek and lowly ways).
True spirituality is other-centeredness, a compassion and love for humanity. (Not a sentimental humanism, but the heart of God.) It is true charity, charity that consists in sacrifice for others and surrender to God. Edify others, glorify God.
God doesn't need our sacrifices. You know who does? Our hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned neighbors.
Today, Jesus is not physically here for us express our affection and gratefulness too, but the poor - they are with us. Jesus is not here for us to physically feed, clothe or visit, to lavish with our love, but yet, the poor are with us, and whatever we do to the least of men, we do to Jesus.
Jesus never calls us to be isolated. If we Christians become isolated, and shut ourselves off from the world, from sin and from temptation, it only shows how we have been overcome by it. If a single bilboard or a magazine cover can cause us to lust, then we have not overcome sin, but are merely seeking to run away from it, to hide from sin, rather than living amongst sinners, yet not being tempted or moved by sin.
The world laughs at us Christians sometimes, because we are so afraid, so cowardly, so lacking in spiritual authority and boldness to not only overcome sin but to save sinners, plucking them out of the fires of hell. If we are shielding ourselves from being sucked into the world, the problem is not with the world but with us? How can we be testimonies of the truth if we refuse to confront lies?
Light is only light when it is in the midst of darkness. I speak of a type of "conditioning" we should experience, not to be shocked by the world and the immorality around. Not to be shocked when people fall, not to be scandalized by immorality.
Yes, we live by the standards of the Word, radically different from the world, but we do not need to fear sin and temptation. We can walk amongst corruption, the abuse of drugs, sexual immorality, and idolatry, and yet not be moved by it. Rather, we transform our surroundings. We bring light into darkness.
Jesus never came to establish a religion of forms, of outward conformity. He never established a parallel culture, an isolationist cult. He sent His disciples out into the world, not to create a culture, not to transform culture, but to bring the kingdom of God, not a culture, not a society, not a religion, but a transformation of hearts.
The Kingdom of God in the midst of the Kingdom of the World is a great threat to the world. Yes, the world will hate it and oppose it. Yes, the world will find us fundamentally different, and will disagree with us. Why should we fear opposition or disagreement? This is part of Christianity. This was a part of the early church. If we want to live in a society that we dictate, that we rule, that we determine and that conforms to our rules, then we should just be a part of the mainstream.
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
(1Co 5:9-13)
If holiness means to hide, then Jesus would never have come to earth to tabernacle amongst us. He would have never bothered to die for a world of sinners. What concerns me is that Christianity sometimes says, "We need to get away from this world of sin". I say no. We must go out into this world to save sinners. We need to be out there, helping the sick, reaching out to the lost, the needy, the destitute, the unrepentant, the hardened sinners. We need to get on our knees and wash feet, serve tables, meet needs. We need to be God's arm of compassion.
If we shut ourselves away from sin and suffering, we will never get to preach and live the gospel. We would never see needs nor know the heart of God. We would be content that "I, me and myself" are saved. We would be trampling on the promises and desires of God.
Do you want to find Jesus? Do you want to seclude yourself to seek God's face? Jesus tells us where to find Him and meet with Him - out there. He's there, with the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned.
The pinnacle of spirituality is not isolation. The pinnacle of godliness, of holiness, of spirituality is the cross where the son of God came down and laid down His life, not for Himself but for others. True spirituality, true religion is to visit orphans and widows and keep oneself unspotted from the world. (Be right in the midst of the world, yet untouched by it, but impacting it in humble, meek and lowly ways).
True spirituality is other-centeredness, a compassion and love for humanity. (Not a sentimental humanism, but the heart of God.) It is true charity, charity that consists in sacrifice for others and surrender to God. Edify others, glorify God.
God doesn't need our sacrifices. You know who does? Our hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned neighbors.
- Do we fast to enhance our own spirituality or because it is part of a sacrificial life that considers the needs of those suffering from famine above our own?
- Do we pray and operate in the Spirit so that we can be spiritually enhanced and empowered or so that we are anointed to go and preach the gospel, heal the sick, and set the captives free.
- Do we offer sacrifices to God so that He can enjoy the smoke, or so that the poor can eat?
- Do we pray so that we are sufficiently spiritual or so that the lost are saved and the Kingdom of God will come to men?
Today, Jesus is not physically here for us express our affection and gratefulness too, but the poor - they are with us. Jesus is not here for us to physically feed, clothe or visit, to lavish with our love, but yet, the poor are with us, and whatever we do to the least of men, we do to Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
